History

Stewart Title Company began in Galveston, Texas, in 1893 when Maco Stewart, a young Galveston attorney and the son of eminent jurist and legislator William H. Stewart, purchased the Gulf City Abstract Company. Maco, along with his brothers Minor and Clegg and brother-in-law W.C. Morris, would all play major roles in the company’s development.

Today, CEO Matt Morris’ leadership marks the fifth generation of William H. Stewart’s descendants to head the company. Over the years we’ve witnessed a lot of things change in the real estate world. One thing that’s remained constant is our commitment to working with our customers, innovating and improving to meet their needs in an ever-changing market.

1975Brothers Carloss Morris and Stewart Morris, Sr., who had led the expansion of the company since their father’s death in 1950, acquire management control of the company.

1977
Stewart invests in the development of computer services for the title industry, mapping operations and real estate information with an infusion of $2.4 million.

1979
Stewart Title Guaranty Company is first included on the Russell 2000, 2500 and 3000 Indexes, and the Russell 2000, 2500 and 3000 Value Indexes, where it will remain until 1996 and re-enter in 1998.

1981
Stewart policies are being issued through more than 1,000 issuing offices in 38 states.

1983
Company revenues pass $100 million for the first time; SISCO stock splits 2:1, and the company raises $11 million in its second public offering.

1986
Stewart is named one of the 101 best-performing companies in the U.S., with revenues of $178 million. Stewart affiliate Landata Geo Services wins contracts in the Caribbean, Egypt, Morocco and Guatemala for geographic information systems and aerial photography, beginning the enhancement of international public records systems.

1987
With its expansion to Alaska and the incorporation of Stewart Title Insurance Company in New York, Stewart writes title insurance through more than 2,000 issuing offices.

2002
Stewart enters the FORTUNE 1000 at 941. The company later moves to 732 in 2003, 641 in 2004, 717 in 2005 and 703 in 2006.

2004Matthew W. (Matt) Morris, son of co-CEO Malcolm S. Morris and grandson of Carloss Morris, rejoins Stewart as senior vice president for planning and development.

2005
Carloss Morris passes away at the age of 90.

2006Stewart achieves $1.4 billion in assets and $44.11 book value per share, the highest in the company’s history. The company is listed on FORTUNE magazine’s “America’s Most Admired Companies” at number four on the “Mortgage Services” industry list.

2007
Matt Morris is promoted to overseeing the home office service centers, supporting field operations. The Stewart Transaction Solutions technology group merges with Stewart subsidiary PropertyInfo Corporation to increase focus on title production and transaction management technology efforts.

2008
A major restructuring of senior leadership increases focus on core delivery channels and customer segments; the company consolidates accounting, IT, human resources and procurement functions across the organization. Stewart creates Stewart Global Solutions to pursue international land administration and modernization projects in emerging international markets.

2009Stewart Lender Services® responds to the market downturn by offering a range of solutions, including a full-service REO asset management division, a short sale management division, specialized services to help mortgage servicers with loan modifications and refinances, and more. Mark Winter, executive vice president of public policy, is elected president of the American Land Title Association® (ALTA®).

2010InformationWeek ranks Stewart #34 on its InformationWeek 500, a list of the country’s most innovative users of business technology. The company launches its first iPhone® apps for the SureClose® transaction management system, and introduces Lender Express Quote™, an online, RESPA-compliant rate calculator.

2011Matt Morris is appointed CEO of Stewart Information Services Corporation (SISCO), overseeing all company operations; Malcolm S. Morris and Stewart Morris, Jr., are named vice chairman. Lead Director Dr. Edward Douglas Hodo is elected SISCO’s chairman of the board.

2012Forbes recognizes Stewart as one of its Top 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America, based on an independent audit of over 8,000 companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges.

2013Stewart celebrates 120 years of magnificent service, and is honored as a Texas Treasure in a ceremony at the state capitol. The company reports 2012 revenues of $1.91 billion, up 16.8% from 2011.

2014Stewart completes several significant acquisitions to expand services in the mortgage and title segment. The company continues to lead the industry in preparation efforts for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) integrated mortgage disclosure rule. Forbes recognizes Stewart on its list of 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies in America. Stewart Morris, Sr., Advisor to the Stewart Information Services Corporation Board of Directors, celebrates 75 years with the company.

2015The company continues to enact strategic plans to expand margins and reduce operating costs. This is accomplished by bringing on new leadership in several business areas, entering into partnerships to enhance Stewart offerings, and outsourcing various support functions, as noted in earnings releases.

The CFPB's long-awaited TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule goes into effect, as Stewart works with associates and customers to educate on this major government regulation change throughout the company and industry. Stewart launches refined branding to more clearly communicate the company's focus on building business relationships, and the Stewart and Stewart Title brand names, with the tagline "Real partners. Real possibilities."

2016CEO Matt Morris kicks off the year by ringing the Opening Bell® at the New York Stock Exchange. Additional leadership changes further mark the company-wide transformation; strategic goals focus on delivering improvements on how the company reports earnings for major business segments, shareholder value, and organizational effectiveness.

Stewart company Gracy Title changes its name to Stewart Title of Austin, LLC. Stockholders vote in favor of an amendment to the company's restated certificate of incorporation, which eliminates SISCO Class B common stock and its related provisions. Class B stockholders agree to an exchange plan for their shares.